Boston town centre gets £1m regeneration funding

Over £1 million raised by National Lottery players has been invested in the on-going regeneration of Boston’s town centre.

Two projects led by Boston Borough council and one led by Heritage Lincolnshire have benefited from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) support.

The announcement was made on Friday, March 17.

Since 2013 Boston has been a priority development area for HLF and in that time 12 projects have shared over £8 million, celebrating Boston’s pubs and churches, young people and soldiers of the First World War, and a history stretching back to the Middle Ages.

Jonathan Platt, Head of HLF East Midlands, said:

“These latest grants are a fantastic demonstration of HLF’s commitment to Boston’s heritage, and a real indication of how far the town has come in the last five years.”

Councillor Peter Bedford, Leader of Boston Borough Council said: “These awards from the Heritage Lottery Fund represent another exciting step in securing the future of some important aspects of Boston’s historic environment.

“Two of these grants will help regenerate and restore a number of important town centre Listed Buildings.”

Boston Townscape Heritage

Boston Borough Council has been awarded £996,000 towards the Boston Townscape Heritage award.

Working together with Heritage Lincolnshire, this project will provide opportunities to significantly enhance the eastern area of the town’s historic market place for the benefit of local businesses, the local community and visitors to the town.

The project will also look to involve a number of local partners in developing activities to engage the wider community to celebrate Boston’s heritage, especially their recent Hanse League membership and preparations leading up to Mayflower 2020.

Boston Resilient Heritage

Boston Heritage Forum have received just under £10,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, for a project to strengthen governance, provide expert advice on an appropriate group structure and constitution, and consultation on which heritage projects in Boston they want to prioritise taking forward in the next 3 years.

The funding will also provide masterclasses on understanding the world of fundraising and will also look to provide an introduction to raising the profile of Boston’s heritage through a variety of marketing opportunities.

Boston Sessions House

Heritage Lincolnshire have received £10,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, for a project to explore new and viable uses for the Boston Sessions House, a Grade II* building in Boston’s’ Market Place.

Largely unused since it was vacated by Boston magistrates courts in 2005, this project will support and mentor the current owner to find a viable and sustainable future that saves the building, benefits Boston and contributes to the heritage led regeneration in the town.